Publication

The strength of surgical knots involves a critical interplay between friction and elastoplasticity

Related publications (28)

Capsizing due to friction-induced twist in the failure of stopper knots

Pedro Miguel Nunes Pereira de Almeida Reis, Paul Johanns

We investigate the failure mechanism of stopper knots, with a particular focus on the figure -8 knot as a representative example. Stopper knots are widely used in climbing, sailing, racket stringing, and sewing to maintain tension in ropes, strings, or thr ...

Elsevier2024

Instabilities in Elastic and Magneto-Elastic Beams and Shells: from Shell Buckling to the Design of a Programmable Braille Reader

Arefeh Abbasi

In this thesis, we conduct a comprehensive investigation into structural instabilities of both elastic and magneto-elastic beams and shells, resulting in a creative proposal to design a programmable braille reader. Methodologically, we combine numerical si ...

EPFL2024

Micro modeling of irregular stone masonry walls using mathematical programming

Katrin Beyer, Qianqing Wang, Ketson Roberto Maximiano Dos Santos

While understanding the shear strength of stone masonry structures is important for the design and the mainte- nance, we still lack computational tools for predicting the strength as a function of the stone layout. Here we implement an end-to-end image bas ...

Springer2024

Influence of model uncertainty and long term deformations in action effects calculation in reinforced concrete structures

Xhemsi Malja

Most codes of practice adopt a semi probabilistic design approach for the dimensioning and assessment of structures. Accordingly, structural safety is ensured by performing limit state verifications using design values determined with adequately calibrated ...

EPFL2024

Short-term behavior of glass fiber-polymer composite bending-active elastica beam under service load application

Thomas Keller, Landolf-Giosef-Anastasios Rhode-Barbarigos, Tara Habibi

Bending-active elastica beam is a structural configuration that is based on the elastic deformation of an initially straight beam. This deformation occurs when horizontal displacements are applied to a sliding support, causing the beam to bend into an arch ...

2024

Insights from an extensive triaxial testing campaign on a shale for comparative site characterization of a deep geological repository

Lyesse Laloui, Alessio Ferrari, Eleonora Crisci

Several boreholes were drilled for site comparison of a deep geological repository (DGR) in Northern Switzerland. The main target of the exploration program was the >100m thick Opalinus Clay, the designated host rock encountered at approximately 450 to 100 ...

Elsevier2024

Mechanics of Physical Knots: From Filaments in Contact to Surgical Suturing

Paul Johanns

In this thesis, we study the mechanics of tight physical knots. Knots are omnipresent in surgery, climbing, and sailing, with disastrous consequences when the filament or the rope fails to perform its function. Even if the importance of mechanical analysis ...

EPFL2023

Computational Exploration of Multistable Elastic Knots

Mark Pauly, Michele Vidulis, Yingying Ren

We present an algorithmic approach to discover, study, and design multistable elastic knots. Elastic knots are physical realizations of closed curves embedded in 3-space. When endowed with the material thickness and bending resistance of a physical wire, t ...

2023

Role of Minimum Adhesive Wear Particle Size in Third-Body Layer Properties

Jean-François Molinari, Son-Jonathan Pham-Ba

We employ a novel discrete element method (DEM) force formulation to simulate adhesive wear and assess the effects of material and loading parameters on the properties of the third-body layer (TBL) formed during sliding motion. The study emphasizes the rol ...

2023

Incorporation of Lignin in Bio-Based Resins for Potential Application in Fiber-Polymer Composites

Mário Alexandre De Jesus Garrido, Mateus De Assunção Hofmann

Bio-based resins, obtained from renewable raw materials, are a more sustainable alternative to oil-based resins for fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. The incorporation of lignin in those resins has the potential to enhance their performance. This ...

MDPI2023

Energy dissipation in fiber-polymer composites adhesive joints under cyclic loading

Ghazaleh Eslami

Sustainable development has emerged as a paramount consideration in various fields of industry, including construction, to preserve the environment and its finite resources. Lightweight structures, such as fiber-polymer composite structures, address both s ...

EPFL2023

Simultaneous strength and ductility enhancement of wire-arc directed energy deposited Al-Cu alloy by interlayer laser shock peening

Ke Huang, Yandong Jing

Wire-arc directed energy deposition (wire-arc DED), recognized for its ability to produce large-scale parts, has gained considerable attention. However, a critical issue with this method is the high prevalence of internal porosity defects found in the manu ...

Elsevier Science Sa2023

Simple shear extrusion versus equal channel angular pressing: A comparative study on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an Mg alloy

Cyril Cayron, Roland Logé, Aryan Rezaei Rad

Two severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques of simple shear extrusion (SSE) and equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) were employed to process an extruded Mg -6Gd -3Y -1.5Ag (wt%) alloy at 553 K for 1, 2, 4 and 6 passes. The microstructural evolutions ...

KEAI PUBLISHING LTD2023

Multi-scale characterization and modeling of notched strength and translaminar fracture in hybrid thin-ply composites based on different carbon fiber grades

Guillaume Clément Broggi

Owing to their high specific stiffness and strength, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites (CFRP) are ideal candidates for the development of lightweight high-performance structures. Within this family, thin-ply composites allow for wider design freedom and p ...

EPFL2023

Exploring the inner workings of the clove hitch knot

Paul Grandgeorge, Pedro Miguel Nunes Pereira de Almeida Reis, Paul Johanns, Tomohiko Sano, Changyeob Baek

We perform a combined experimental and computational investigation of the clove hitch knot. We develop a physical model for the clove hitch by tying an elastic rod onto a rigid cylinder. In the experiments, we characterize the mechanical performance, geome ...

ELSEVIER2022

Strong silicon oxide inclusions in iron

Andreas Mortensen, Léa Deillon, Alejandra Inés Slagter, Joris Pierre Everaerts

Oxide inclusions are ubiquitous in steel and are known to affect, generally in a negative sense, the mechanical performance of steel products. Micromechanical properties of those phases are therefore important, yet they have remained largely unexplored. We ...

2022

Thermophysical and thermomechanical properties of basalt-phenolic FRP rebars under high temperature

Thomas Keller, Hongwei Zhu, Ting Li, Jiahui Shen

An experimental investigation was conducted on the thermophysical and thermomechanical properties of phenolic-basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (P-BFRP) rebars subjected to high temperature. As a comparison, vinylBFRP (V-BFRP) and epoxy-BFRP (E-BFRP) rebars ...

ELSEVIER SCI LTD2022

Postbuckling behavior and imperfection sensitivity of elastic-plastic periodic plate-lattice materials

Fani Derveni

Advances in additive manufacturing have enabled a new generation of materials with advantageous properties inherent to their architecture. Recently, architected materials with periodic arrangements of plates, called plate-lattice materials, have been devel ...

ELSEVIER2022

Weakening effect of various pore fluids on the tensile strength of granite

Guanyi Lu

Laboratory three-point bending experiments are carried out to evaluate the effect of various fluids on the tensile strength of granite. The granite specimens were tested under both dry and saturated conditions. The fluids used to saturate the granite inclu ...

SPRINGER HEIDELBERG2022

Strengthening mechanisms in dilute and random solid solution high-entropy BCC alloys

Alireza Ghafarollahi

Tuning the mechanical properties of metals, including strength, through adjusting the type and/or concentration of added solute elements, has been recognized as an effective way to design and produce materials with desired or optimized mechanical propertie ...

EPFL2022